An investigation has been launched after a toddler choked on the spout of a plastic cup.

Stockton Trading Standards is investigating safety concerns over a Nuby brand drinking cup following the incident involving a toddler from Billingham.

Mum Abigail Walker, 28, was forced to put 21-month-old Violet across her knee and slap her back when the plastic spout, which is part of the cup lid, came off in her mouth.

Thankfully, the piece of plastic was quickly dislodged and Violet suffered no ill effects - except for biting her tongue as her mum desperately carried out first aid.

Abigail, of Imperial Road, Billingham, told how Violet began choking on the spout of the cup within moments of being given a drink.

“She started choking and had hold of the cup and I just noticed the top was gone,” she said.

“I was on my own so I was shaking. I got her on the floor, laid her over my knee, slapped her back and got it out. She bit her tongue so I felt awful.

“You think of the “what ifs?” afterwards and it could have been very different.”

The concerned mum posted a warning to other parents on social media and subsequently received dozens of pictures of the same cup from worried parents and 200 friend requests.

'Nuby sip and go' cup

Nuby UK says it is unable to say what caused the spout to come off, as it has not had the opportunity to evaluate the damaged product.

It is in direct contact with Abigail and Trading Standards, but Maria Burnell, managing director of Nuby, said she remained confident in the cup’s safety.

She said: “We have subjected the model of product to stringent testing to ensure it is safe. I can confirm we were unable to replicate the damage seen on the picture that was posted on social media, unless excessive abuse or misuse was applied and we are thus confident that the product is safe for use.”

Nuby says its products are tested to the highest industry and regulatory standards and also undergo rigorous tests and inspection at its own site, before distribution.

It said failures were “very rare” and were not due to faults, but as a result of wear and tear, being unsuitable for the child’s age, incorrect cleaning, exposure to solvents, direct sunlight or heat.

Peter Kelly, Stockton Council’s director of public health, said public safety was of “paramount importance” and it was investigating Abigail’s complaint as a “matter of urgency”.

It has also shared details with Trading Standards officers in Nuby’s local authority.

“Anyone with similar concerns should contact their local authority trading standards team immediately,” he said.